Beijing: India joined hands with Russia and China to fight terror, pledging at their 13th trilateral meeting to crack down on not only terrorists but also those who finance and give refuge to them.
The three nations issued a strong joint statement on terror, saying religious, racial and ethnic divisions were no justification for terrorism.
Without naming any country, the communiqué said there was a need to “bring to justice perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts”. India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said Russia and China would cooperate with New Delhi in implementing an India-sponsored anti-terror proposal lying dormant in the UN since 1996.
Swaraj said terror-related issues were the focus area of the meeting that lasted over 90 minutes. Her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and Russia’s long-time foreign minister Sergey Lavrov were part of the meeting. They discussed new trends in international terrorism and were on the same page on the need to “step up information gathering and sharing, prevent the use of the Internet and other communication technologies for the purpose of recruitment and incitement to commit terrorist acts.”
Equally important, they said, was to prevent financing, planning and preparation of terror activities, block terrorist movements and financing of terrorism. Russia and China appeared more amenable about India joining the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The 12th trilateral meeting had merely talked about India’s growing economic profile and economic linkages with APEC members. “China and Russia would welcome India’s participation in the APEC,” says the statement. Swaraj said Russia and China endorsed India’s push to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The joint communique also expressed support for India's aspirations for a seat on the UN Security Council. While the previous statement at the 12th meeting only spoke generally of UN reforms, the latest communique said Russia and China "supported India's aspiration to play a greater role" in the UN.
China is, however, far from fully endorse India's bid, and has expressed particular concern about India tying its campaign to the G4 group of nations including Japan, Brazil and Germany. China has said it can never support a Japanese seat on the body.
Asked about the communique's reference on the UNSC, Hong said China was "willing to make concerted efforts with all relevant parties to reach the broadest consensus on the package of solutions relating to reform of the UNSC through democratic consultation."
Meanwhile, China declined to say whether its commitment to back India's push for a stronger United Nations effort to crack down on international financing of terrorism would impact its "all-weather" ally Pakistan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei declined to answer directly, only saying that the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China had on Monday an "in-depth exchange of views on issues of common interest, including cracking down on terrorism". "On this issue," he added, "China's stance is consistent and clear. We are willing to carry out cooperation with the international community under principles and purposes of the UN charter and other basic norms governing international relations to safeguard peace, stability, and security of the whole world. Efforts made by China, Russia and India are all serving this purpose."
Sino-Indian ties have entered new phase: Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Sino-Indian ties had achieved a turnaround, having entered a “new stage” of partnership following his visit to India in September last. “Since my visit to India, the relations between our two countries have entered a new phase. The positive side of China-India relations has been growing,” President Xi said, after he received Swaraj in the Great Hall of the People.
“Solid steps are being taken to implement agreements between Indian Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and me,” he said. Xi added, “I have full confidence on the future of China and India relations. I believe the good process will be achieved in the growth of bilateral relations.”
Modi to visit China by May 26
Swaraj said Prime Minister Modi will visit China by May 26 this year. She also said India remains committed to an "early settlement" of the border issues, even as sources said the two neighbours have begun working on a slew of agreements to reduce differences on all other outstanding issues.
The agreements are likely to be finalized during Modi's visit to Beijing with the two sides also reaching an agreement on an additional route to Mansarovar, a Hindu pilgrimage in Tibet.
